Happy Belated Earth Day, Other than Ramen readers! Earth Day was Friday, but this day really left an impact on me, so I decided to write a little follow-up reflection.
It seems to me that every year our society as a whole becomes more and more driven to develop sustainable habits and conserve our planet. Earth Day was a day especially devoted to celebrating these accomplishments toward eco-friendliness, but my question is: shouldn’t we being celebrate Earth Day everyday?
As individuals, we have a responsibility to take care of Mother Earth and we can start doing so right in our everyday college lives.
Many ASU students are already incorporating “green” tactics like riding the light rail and biking to class, but I’d like to propose some ways for us be “green” in our eating.
Eating locally grown food from Arizona is a great place to begin. This summer, make it a goal to visit some of the farmers markets in your area, where you can buy fresh produce and actually meet the people who grow the food!
The Phoenix Public Market near the ASU downtown Phoenix campus takes place on Wednesdays from 4-8 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Tempe Farmers Market is open everyday from 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Several other markets take place in Ahwatukee, Old Town Scottsdale, and Mesa. Check out the Arizona Community Farmers Markets website for more information.
Supporting restaurants that use locally produced or organic ingredients is another great way to advocate for sustainability. Arizona has some fantastic restaurants to choose from.
I’ve heard that Green: New American Vegetarian in Tempe is delicious for a late lunch or dinner. For a little dessert, check out Urban Cookies in Phoenix. Craving coffee? Visit Cartel Coffee Lab at either their Tempe or Phoenix location.
The Local First Arizona website is a great resource for finding restaurants that believe in building a strong community of support among locally owned businesses.
Let’s promise to take care of our beautiful planet by implementing sustainable practices into the way we eat and dine out. Although it sounds cheesy, together we really can make a positive impact on our community!
